So, as I haven't been working alot for others lately, I have had copious amounts of time to work away on moleskines. Above is Jennifer's "Pretend" moleskine.







Ewian's "Waltzing Matilda" moleskine, I had to scan quite a bit of it to show what I did. I decided the jumbuck was getting a raw deal, so I, as usual, went the animal route. These sheep obviously haven't been stuffed into a dillybag yet... hopefully never.
I believe I am sending these to Jan now.

Moly_x_3 the whole lot!

I'm sure you've all been waiting excitedly to see the moleskines all spread out. As promised:

Top to bottom: Em's book, Barbara's book, Rowland's book.

And the two completed moleskines: Ewian's book, Jennifer's book.

Have posted Ewian and Jennifer's book off to Emma. Will start on the others soon. There's so much lovely artworks in all of the books that I'm feeling a little nervous on my part!

But it's also nice to see the whole project coming together nicely (slowly but surely) and it's wonderful to see all of you lending your time and effort on each of the pages. Nice work everyone! Keep it up!

Ewian's book is done

Well I had to paint in the jumbuck:) The bunny needed a friend.

So a freshly brewed Billy tea with a Coolibah tree steaming out of the teacup for Ewian's Waltzing Matilda theme. Closing this book now to start afresh for Jennifer's book.

Work in progress: Ewian’s book

Hello! I received Ewian and Jennifer's book. I'm working on Ewian's book at the moment:) I listened to the 'Waltzing Matilda' song and picked up a few elements to draw. A teacup filled with Billy tea and a steamy illusion of the Coolibah tree.

While sharing this on my blog, I realised that I probably should have painted a jumbuck (sheep) instead of a rabbit in the teacup! Will post more pictures when I'm done. Hope you are all well.

EWian in Rowland's book

Got a bit of reflection. Lots of play and mediums going in to this entry.

Mediums used: Pencil for sketching. Medallion pen for lining. Promarker for the face colour. Phebo gesso for the sock and hair base. Colouring and pastel pencil for the eyes and hair form Faber-Castell and Derwent. The pink and blue is a vinyl paint, it gives a beautiful matt finish. The yellow, orange and green is Galeria acrylic paint from Winsor&Newton. The hair tones are colouring pencils, pastels, charcoal, and a bit of acrylic paint. The red mouth is uni posca pen. The greens on the pullover is a mix of the vinyl paint and Galeria acrylic paint from Winsor&Newton on top.

If you have any suggestion on a song that is under the Creative Commons licence and that is between 6 and 10 minutes let me know and I'll put together a video of the illustration process. I know http://www.jamendo.com has a lot of songs but it take time to listen through, so if you have a suggestion it will be appreciated.

Barbara's book

Here are the entry for Barbara's book.

As mentioned yesterday, I had a lot of trouble finding the right motive. I ended up with a dragon inspired by the Norwegian stave church (Wikipedia) On it's back it has a girl. She is playing the flute. The clouds are super iridescent, do not show up in the photo though.

Progress so far in the book.

Medium used: pencil, permanent marker, velvet decorative tape, promarkers, gel pen, iridescent watercolours and acrylic paint.

Barbara's book - sketch

I had a lot of trouble finding the right motive, Jennifer's cat is such a strong statement. I think I have tried out 8 or 9 different things before I found something that I though would work. This is my final sketch. I'll go make the actually entry now.

Moly_x_3 Jennifer's book

Well I have misplaced the SD-card so no video yet. Jennifer's book is in the hand of to the next in line, niniji. I love collaborative projects, they are so much fun!

Jennifer's girl - sketch

Here are the sketch work for Jennifer's book. I have started working in the book but there is still some work to be done. I can send it on it's way to niniji Monday.

EWian

Waltzing Matilda - video

Here is the video to go along with the "Waltzing matilda".

I am so exited to see how the book evolves and what it will bring along on it's journey. To see how the rest of the book will develop and how people and the art will interact on the pages.

I change the paper in the book to watercolour paper. I think it can handle a bit more beating and I like the feel of the texture.

Medium used: permanent marker, watersoluble wax pastel, watercolour, pencil, eraser, acrylic paint, paper, embossing fluid, mica laced pigment , watercolour pencil and glue.

Waltzing Matilda

You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me?

Medium used: permanent marker, watersoluble wax pastel, watercolour, pencil, eraser, acrylic paint, paper, embossing fluid, mica laced pigment , watercolour pencil and glue.

So looking forward to see how the rest of the book will develop and how people and the art will interact on the pages.


For those of you how don't know the words to Waltzing Matilda here they are:

Once a jolly swagman sat beside the billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Down came a jumbuck to drink beside the billabong
Up jumped the swagman and seized him with glee
And he sang as he tucked jumbuck in his tuckerbag
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Down came the stockman, riding on his thoroughbred,
Down came the troopers, one, two, three.
"Where's the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Up jumped the swagman and plunged into the billabong,
"You'll never catch me alive," cried he
And his ghost may be heard as you ride beside the billabong,
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Text:A.B. (Banjo) Paterson

So if I got this right, explanation of Australian slang used in the song:
Billabong = A waterhole
Billy = A can or small kettle used to boil water for tea
Coolabah tree = A type of native tree in Australia
Jumbuck = A sheep
Swagman = Someone who lives on the open road, a hobo. The term came from the canvas bag that they would carry their bedroll and/or belongings in
Trooper = In Australia's early days, there was no police force. The colony was protected by and policed by soldiers.
Tucker bag = A knapsack or bag for storing food in the bush.

Sketch waltzing mathilda

Here is the sketch, finished picture will come soon.

The theme I have chosen for my book is "waltzing mathilda". This is one of the first thing I learned about Australia. My father is one of those musically people who is always whistling a tune. "Waltzing mathilda" was one of those that was repeated. Sweet childhood memories. As a child I always thought "waltzing mathilda" was about about exploring the world together. You'll come a waltzing matilda with me? So the motive is a girl starting her journey, wondering what she'll see and who she can bring along for this walkabout. I am so exited to see how the book evolves and what it will bring along on it's journey.

I change the paper in the book to watercolour paper. I think it can handle a bit more beating and I like the feel of the texture. However this process of chaining the paper made me realise I need a scoring board... it didn't turn out strait at all. But as long as it fit in side the book, I am happy. There is a first time to everything right? The book is done and on it's way to the next in line, niniji. Well that's it for now, I'll post pictures of the finished book tomorrow. (The back need rest now.)

--
In other news: Sorry, for lack of posting earlier, an acute back pain has for the last month and is still keeping me from typing much on the computer. In addition to have to write some blog post I have about 300 email to sort through so I'll get back to you soon. However physiotherapy and acupuncture is helping to move things back to normal.

Moly_x_3 what now?

Hi! I got my book, yeah, and I am ready to start. But I was wondering what should be the theme of the book? Maybe something inspired by Australia as this Moly_x_3 started out there? Any suggestions? Ideas? Would love some input.

EWian